Two founding members of Contemplative Outreach, Gail Fitzpatrick and Father Carl Arico, visited Galway during a recent visit to Ireland. Fionnuala Quinn, a Dominican Sister, had made contact with some Mercy practitioners of Centering Prayer to check that there might be a welcome for them. The answer was a resounding yes and, over five days, these pioneers of contemplative prayer spread their message.
Fr. Carl Arico and Fionnuala Quinn
Gail and Carl agreed to being interviewed for this story and, when Carl heard of Margaret Casey’s invitation to us in preparation for Chapter 2018, he could understand its value. In this short video, Fionnuala tells of her retreat work in Mullaghmore, Gail of her commitment to Centring Prayer, and Carl finishes with a blessing for our Chapter. Click here to watch the video.
L-R: Noreen Christian OP, Gail Fitzpatrick, Abbess Máire Hickey, Amy Hopler, Fionnuala Quinn OP and Fr. Carl Arico at Kylemore Abbey
A friend of Gail’s had helped the community in Kylemore Abbey in the closure of their boarding school. For that reason, we visited the celebrated location and were shown around by the Abbess, Sister Máire Hickey. En route, they were enchanted by the Connemara mountainscape, profusion of stone and errant sheep. It was, they mused, as if television with films of Ireland had come to life.
As above outside Kylemore Abbey
A highlight of their time was a visit to Stella Maria where Patricia Fahy was the hostess. She recounts:
What a privilege for us Sisters in Stella Maria to have a visit from Fr. Carl Arico, Gail and Amy Hopler [Gail’s daughter] from Contemplative Outreach, Snowmass, Colorado, U.S.A. Our visitors were accompanied by Sr. Fionnuala Quinn, International Coordinator for Contemplative Outreach. Sr. Catherine Coleman and her Centering Prayer group from Teaghlach Mhuire joined us for the occasion. It was good to be affirmed by the ‘’experts’’ in our practice of Centering Prayer. The enthusiasm of the group was very encouraging as we extended a very warm welcome to our guests. After a Centering Prayer session we celebrated Eucharist with Fr. Carl. Then there was time for a chat, and the usual tea and scones [made for the occasion by Ambrose Farrell, the house manager] were served.
Sisters awaiting talk from Fr. Carl, as Patricia gives a welcome
Some words of gratitude from Gail:
“Thank you [is] not enough to say for the time we were shared. A bit of my heart remains with all of you and with the beauty of Ireland – the green, the sheep, the baby lambs, rolling hills and the color of the mountains and the sound of the sisters saying you are “very welcome” which still rings in my ears. We can meet each day in Centering Prayer and wait to see what God has in store for us.”
As Fr Carl has said, we can all be assured that we are playing a significant role in this pivotal Chapter by saying “yes” to Margaret’s call:
“Could we, in the lead-up to this Chapter Event, commit as individuals, in small or large groups to an extra ten to fifteen minutes contemplative prayer…so that we are truly open to hearing what God wants to say to us at this time – this new moment in our congregation story.” – Sr. Margaret Casey, Congregational Leader
Suzanne Ryder rsm
Western Province
